Sarawak Aims To Become Technology Creator Within Five Years
KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting a shift from technology user to technology creator within the next five years as a strategic move to transform the state's economic structure into one based on innovation, knowledge and high value creation.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the five-year period is a crucial phase to propel Sarawak's economy to a higher level, while enhancing its competitiveness globally.
"The next five years will be a transition period to bring our economy to a higher level.
"During this period, we need to have efficient policies to ensure the transition goes smoothly, enabling us to move from being technology users to technology creators," he said.
He said this when speaking at the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Night here on Wednesday.
He added that Sarawak must move beyond technology assembly towards developing and creating its own technology, which can generate higher added value for the state's economy.
He explained that this transformation requires effective policies, the mastery of new knowledge and the development of infrastructure that can support innovation-based economic growth.
Meanwhile, he stressed that Sarawak must set its aspirations to achieve world-class standards and build the capability to compete with advanced economies.
"If we remain only second-tier contributors, we will not be able to be in front.
"In other words, our economy will remain trapped in the middle-income trap. Therefore, we need to change and become creators of economic value to enable us to escape the middle-income trap," he said.
He also underscored the importance of structural economic change to ensure Sarawak does not continue to depend on low value-added economic activities, but is instead able to produce its own technology, innovation and expertise.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Sarawak Cabinet Ministers, Sarawak Premier's Chief Political Secretary and GPS Backbenchers Chairman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Baleh Assemblyman and Organising Committee Chairman Nicholas Kudi Jantai, as well as other assemblymen and guests. -UKASnews
